Hiking in Hong Kong

view of Tai Tam As big as our hand!
Fish, Koi and turtles in the reservior.
Christine, Barkley and Sheri.

After weeks of hot, grey mist and rain, the weather seemed to understand our need for rejuvenation. The clouds broke and bright clear skies emerged for 3 full days. The timing was perfect for a hike. I led three moms for an easy hike from HKIS to Tai Tam. I only lost my way twice. One time, we tried a closed road only to be terrified by a spider that was as big as our hand!

The next day, Albie and I did a "quick" hike on Dragon's Back. Quick because, a 2 and half hour hike is quick for Hong Kong, but mostly because she saw a HUGE green snake, thicker than her arm, right next to us on the trail and we ran for a long ways. Even after running a long ways, (much longer than any snake could get), she screamed "keep running" just to be sure. I wish I had my camera that day. For one, I would have loved to have gotten a photo of the snake (even though I was terrified too) and second, the views were so clear and beautiful, that I was mesmerized.

Soaking Up the Sun (Video!!!)

Finished the First Week

Ally and Mrs. Legaspi
Ms. Sommerlad

Ally and Austin finished their first week of school with flying colors. They came home every day claiming school was "great!" Austin said he loved playing chase with Mr. Faruqui, the male teacher aide. Ally said a girl told on her for chewing on the duplo blocks....

The room they are in is called a Cluster and it holds 4 classrooms. Their classes are right next to each other, but they have different teachers and classmates. They can play together at recess and free choice.

Ally's teacher is Mrs. Legaspi and Austin's teacher is Ms. Sommerlad.

Back to School

Today was Ally and Austin’s first day back to school. They woke up on time and excited. But with a bit of dilly dallying and refusing to comb hair (Ally), we had to rush for the bus. Downstairs the bus was in a different spot. So once we realized it was there, the kids bee-lined it up the steps. I barely had time to whip out my camera just in time to shoot a photo of their backsides. I didn’t even get a kiss or a hug! I had gotten dressed and ready, so that I was prepared to ride the bus with them and help them get settled on the first day. (I did that last year). But I wanted it to be the kids idea, not the needy, not ready to let go parent’s idea. The request never came. So I waved goodbye. Kissed Steven goodbye. And watched my family ride away.

Even though we’re experienced at school, even though I should be used to this. I stood there feeling very empty and sad. I had a ton of things to do. Appointments to make, bills to pay, girls scout planning. But all I really wanted to do was to spy on the kids. I didn’t though. Didn’t even go to the school. I came upstairs answered a few emails. Ran to the village where I met 2 moms for a latte. Ran a couple of errands, met a friend, one of my closest friends here in Hong Kong, who told me they’re moving to Spain in a month. Then the day was over. So I didn’t accomplish much, but I did survive.

And if you’re wondering more importantly about the kids…. Oh, they did “great” They loved being at school, seeing old friends and meeting new. Austin was the line leader. Ally got her name on a big tooth on the wall for losing a tooth. Austin got to play chase with the male TA. Ally got tattled on by a new girl for chewing on a toy. They gave their teachers apples and they can’t wait to go back.

-love, Annie

Losing My Tooth

Conquering the Dragon

Back to Hong Kong. Back to the heat and humidity. Back to the wet season. But after 4 days of being inside our apartment from a typhoon, it was time to get outside, despite it all. Austin was anxious to see his friend Jacob, so we set up a "family playdate" with his family. We were meeting at the club at 9:30 am to grab taxis to hike the Dragon Back trail. Afterwards, heading to a small beach village for pizza, then back to the club for a swim. We decided to leave Ally at home, which is probably the smartest decision we've ever made. The hike is known as one of the most beautiful in Asia. You hike along a ridge with sweeping views of the Southside and China. But alas, ridges are uphill (and in Hong Kong down and uphill) and the weather is hot and the hike is long, 10K).

The start of the hike was really nice. The heavy rains created lots of waterfalls and small streams to cross. After winding up the mountain side, we reached the ridge line. We were all drenched in sweat. Austin, Jacob and Sydney moaned and bellowed from the ridgeline on. Austin was ready to quit. Giving our best parent cheerleading efforts, we got them to the end.

From the road we caught a double decker down to Shek O. Ally and Evelyn joined us at the restauarant. At Shek O we ate lunch at the Black Sheep. The Black Sheep was fantastic. It's a tiny restaurant tucked in an Alley and only open half days on weekends. It looks like a Jamacian disco or the room of a college roommate who smoked pot. But somehow they pulled out fresh tomato salads, large artichokes and wood fired pizza. We will be sure to go back.

Afterwards we grabbed cabs and went to the club. It was Alantis day, where they have a blow up obstacle course in the pool. That pool was better than any nestea plunge!